Subaru 57229FE020 Front Hood Panel

The hood is heavy and somewhat awkward to remove and install - at least two people should perform this procedure. Use blankets or pads to cover the cowl area of the body and fenders to protect the body and paint as the hood is lifted off. Make marks or scribe a line around the hood hinge to ensure proper alignment during installation. Remove the plastic clip securing the insulator pad to the hood. Disconnect any wires that will interfere with removal. With an assistant helping you support the hood, remove the hood stay-to-hood bolts and place the stays down. With an assistant still helping you support the hood, remove the hinge-to-hood bolts. Lift off the hood. Installation is the reverse of removal. Fore-and-aft and side-to-side adjustment of the hood is done by moving the hinge plate slot after loosening the bolts or nuts. Scribe a line around the entire hinge plate so you can determine the amount of movement. Loosen the bolts or nuts and move the hood into correct alignment. Move it only a little at a time. Tighten the hinge bolts and carefully lower the hood to check the position. After installing the hood, adjust the hood release latch, if necessary. The latch can be adjusted fore-and-aft so that the hood closes securely and flush with the fenders. To make the adjustment, scribe a line or mark around the latch mounting flange to provide a reference point, then loosen the latch bolts and reposition the latch as necessary. Tighten the latch mounting bolts securely. Also, if necessary, adjust the hood bumpers so that the hood is flush with the fenders when it's closed. The hood latch assembly, as well as the hinges, should be periodically lubricated with lithium-base grease to prevent binding and wear.